What Are Calories

A calorie is a unit of potential energy equivalent to 4.184 Joules. It is defined as being the amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of one gram of water by 1″C.

In many areas, such as the labelling of food products and fitness machines, kilocalories (4,184joules) are used in place of calories. When a calorie is burned, energy is released in a process known as complete combustion. In the human body, the organs function by using this energy.

Calories are a necessity for the human body, with the average adult requiring more than 2,000 kilocalories to actively function per day.

The intake of energy through food and drink is balanced against the energy used by the body. Excess calories which are not used are stored as fat for use at a later time. Consuming more calories than you burn will lead to weight gain.

Burning calories facts

Shopping – On average, an hour of shopping will burn 200 kilocalories.

Filing – Up to 170 kilocalories can be burned an hour by filing while sitting.

Eating – Although consuming calories, the body will also use about 130 kilocalories per hour when sitting and eating.

On the phone – Getting angry or excited while talking on the phone can burn up to 120 kilocalories an hour.

Gum – Chewing sugarless gum burns up to an additional 11 kilocalories an hour as the jaw is continuously moved.